Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Pith - Fore

Halifax, Nov Scotia-based extreme metal band Pith unleash four-song EP Fore. Much like "cleave," "pith" is a dual-pronged word that refers to the central, elemental part of something, particularly in a botanical context; it is also a term that means to destroy the spinal chord. So, this band's moniker refers to something generative and life sustaining ― the marrow of a thing ― and also a type of destruction.

This paradox neatly sums up Fore, which is a very carefully crafted, vital piece that simultaneously wants to rip something apart. This tension between creative and destructive forces defines the record. The fierce drumming and bright, visceral guitar lines carry the energy of the four, four-minute songs like arterial blood. The shredding, blade-mouthed vocals and the aggressive, grinding tempo make the listener feel as though they're being chased, trapped in a nightmare of pursuit and consumption.

This would be a fine soundtrack to those dreams where you're being pursued down a narrow hallway by something with chainsaws for teeth.